In the 12-year period of 2005 through 2016, canines killed 392 Americans. Pit bulls contributed to 65% (254) of these deaths. Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers contributed to 76% of the total recorded deaths. | More »

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Bare Hands, Mop and a Rock
Kannapolis, NC - A 6-year-old boy was recently attacked by a pit bull outside his home in Rowan County. The dog had broken free of its chain from a neighbor's yard. The mom wrestled the dog off her son then the dog turned and attacked her. Brian's older brother, Johan, pulled Brian into the safety of the home then hurried outside with a mop to help his mom, who was still under attack.

Johan, 9-years old, hit the dog with the mop until the stick broke, but the dog continued to attack. It wasn’t until a neighbor who heard the cries for help, and approached with a rock in his hand, that the animal stopped. The owner of the pit bull, Nina Barkley, said she "rescued" the pit bull three months ago. Then she proceeded to chain the animal up as a "pet." In a separate article, she said "the dog was not mine." The dog instead belonged to a family friend who is serving jail time.

Prior to the attack, the pit bull named "Pug Pug," had been chained up to the same tree in Barkley's yard as her other pit bull. No one knows how Pug Pug slipped out of its collar. The animal was taken to Rowan County Animal Shelter in Salisbury and is expected to be put down. Meanwhile, Brian was taken to a hospital and underwent reconstructive surgery to his face. His mother received 21 stitches and bandages on both arms. His brother Johan managed to escape without injury.

Barkley received a citation for owning a dangerous dog that caused injuries requiring medical treatment costing more than $100. She also told reporters that she was being evicted.

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11 comments:

Anonymous | 2/14/2009 4:50 AM | FlagThe pit owner was fined $100 dollars. Gee, that ought to teach her a lesson. She's also being evicted. SO HER LANDLORD CANNOT GET SUED? (Nice try, the attack on two innocent people already happened!)

She did not speculate on how the dog got loose. Barkley was not arrested, but received a citation from Kannapolis Police for owning a dangerous dog that caused injuries requiring medical treatment costing more than $100. No other charges were filed.

Anonymous | 2/14/2009 7:32 AM | Flag "Make sure they have a collar, and make sure the kids stay with you."

The dog had a collar on but he just stepped out of it. Something most dogs can do. A collar is no guarantee you're safe.

Anonymous | 2/14/2009 2:50 PM | FlagYes, I believe her landlord CAN be sued. It has happened to other landlords in cases like this! Sue the landlord on his homeowner's policy.

He is ultimately responsible for maintaining his property and tenants.

This example shows why anti-chaining laws need to get passed and enforced.

These people get these aggressive dogs, they are too aggressive for them to handle in the house, so they throw them out on a chain instead.

Then things like this happen (not to mention the dogs get even crazier out there on a chain all the time)

Anonymous | 2/14/2009 3:46 PM | FlagSo true that the attacking dog is often not with its owner at the time of the attack. True, it sounds like an excuse but it also points to the likelihood that dogs with strong prey drives or temperments are more likely to attack when the person they see as their master is not present. This always makes me wonder why dogs with aggression problems or potentail problems are allowed -- even if their master can control them, their master will not always be it them. What then?

Anonymous | 2/14/2009 6:54 PM | FlagMost of these dogs' masters are lying about ownership of the dog to try to escape liability and charges

Pit bulls attack their OWN MASTERS anyway, so it does not matter one bit if the actual master is there or not.

Pit bulls attack even when they are at the end of their owner's leash!

Anonymous | 2/14/2009 11:53 PM | Flag"The dog was dying. I nursed him back to health."

Hmmm. I wonder how you nurse a pit bull back to health when it's on a chain? This must be a chapter within the pit bull owner's Secret Handbook.

Anonymous | 2/15/2009 8:28 PM | FlagOne thing about weight pulling, apparently the dogs don't automatically pull that much weight. They have to be built up to it. Why anyone would want a dog that strong is a mystery to me. Another child suffering, was this dog neutered? Mandatory neutering and bans on future breeding would be a great solution.